Frequently Asked Questions
General Product Information
Do you make metal or fiberglass doors?
No, we do not make metal or fiberglass doors. Our doors are solid wood, built using stile-and-rail construction.
What wood species are suitable for exterior use?
All wood species options - including Paint Grade - are suitable for exterior use as long as the wood is finished (painted or clear-coated) following the finishing instructions as specified within the B.C. Door Limited Warranty for Wood Doors.
What handle set options are available for doors built by B.C. Door?
​B.C. Door can source Emtek and Taymor handle sets, however, we recommend ordering handle sets through your local Premier Dealer.
Is an overhang required to validate the warranty?
No, an overhang is not required; however, a well-designed overhang will reduce the amount of work required to maintain an adequate top-coat, which is required to protect the lumber and validate the warranty.
Do you offer custom sizes?
Yes, everything we do is made-to-order, so we are capable of any custom size you require. Please contact your nearest B.C. Door dealer for a quote on custom sizes.
Can I use a Storm Door?
Using a storm door is not advised and should be avoided. Storm doors can lead to the accumulation of excessive heat trapped between the wooden door and the storm door, which heightens the risk of warping and cracking.
What type of handle sets are compatible with doors built by B.C. Door?
This will depend based on the machining specification for your specific door order.
​
Most doors are drilled for tubular locksets. Tubular locksets can be found off-the-shelf in any hardware or home improvement store.
​
If the door is supplied with multi-point locking hardware, you will need a multi-point operator trim. Your trim will need to be compatible with:
Configuration 4; American Cylinder Above Lever; 3-5/8” Lever to Cylinder C-C; 1-13/16” Cylinder to Thru-Bolt C-C; 1-13/16” Lever to Thru-Bolt C-C.
Finishing (Paint & Stain)
Do you paint or stain doors at the factory?
No, we are a millwork manufacturer only, so this is not a service we provide. Priming is available upon request.
Can you provide details on how the door should be finished?
Full finishing instructions begin on page five of the B.C. Door Limited Warranty for Wood Doors. We recommend reading all instructions thoroughly before beginning.
Key points include, but are not limited to:
​
-
finishing the door on all six sides, including the top and bottom edges.
-
ensuring the lumber is sealed with a minimum of three (3) brushed-on or five (5) sprayed-on coats of an exterior grade paint / varnish / polyurethane with UV inhibitors.
Can I use an Oil or Solid-Based Stain as the final finish?
No, these types of products do not adequately protect lumber from moisture-gain / moisture-loss.
If you choose to use an oil or solid-based stain as the final finish, please be aware that your door will not be covered under warranty.
Can you tell me what stain / paint color has been used on a door?
Can I paint / stain my door black (or any other dark color)?
While clients regularly paint / stain our doors dark colors (including black), this is generally not recommended unless careful consideration is given to the unique environmental considerations where the door will be installed.
Dark colors harm wood components by absorbing UV rays and generating heat, resulting damage such as warping and cracking.
If you choose to proceed with finishing your door a dark color, please be aware that it will not be covered under warranty. See further information by clicking here.
What type of paint or clear-coat should be used when finishing my door?
Because top-coat product availability varies from region-to-region and every installation location is different (IE: climate, overhang, exposure to weather, etc.), B.C. Door recommends checking with your paint supplier for the best quality products available in your region; they will guide you to the most suitable product for your unique environmental conditions.
​
Key attributes of a suitable top-coat product include, but are not limited to:
​
-
Paint: Exterior Grade; Oil or Latex base; High level of UV Inhibitors.
-
Clear-Coat; Exterior Grade; Oil or Latex based polyurethane or varnish; High level of UV Inhibitors.
Unfortunately, no. Most stain / paint colors are custom blends that are mixed by finishing painters to achieve a unique look for an individual homeowner. These are one-off blends that are not available for retail purchase.
Installation
Do you install doors?
​No, we are a millwork manufacturer only, so this is not a service we provide. Most dealers are able to provide this service or references for installers. Click here to find your nearest dealer.
Do you provide installation instructions?
Do you have recommended installers in my area?
We are a millwork manufacturer only, so we do not have any references for installers. For installer references, we recommend contacting your nearest B.C. Door dealer. Click here to find your nearest dealer.
Installation instructions can be found here: Installation Instructions.
​
While instructions are available, installing a door is generally not a project for a novice or Do-It-Yourself homeowner. As a result, we encourage you to only use a skilled professional when installing our doors.
Shipping & Delivery
How are doors packaged for shipping?
Doors are un-packaged to allow for inspection upon pick-up. During transportation, B.C. Door recommends the use of moving-blankets to ensure doors are adequately protected.
We recommend handling doors carefully - they are like any piece of fine furniture; careless handling will damage the surface. Handle with clean hands or gloves and do not drag doors across one another or across other surfaces.
If requested, doors can be crated for shipping. Note that crating is an extra charge and is not included in the cost of the door.
How are doors delivered?
B.C. Door does not provide delivery services. If requested, we can arrange for shipping via common carrier. Note that delivery is an extra charge and is not included in the cost of the door.
Building Code Compliance
Do your doors meet NAFS requirements?
Yes, doors built by B.C. Door meet requirements of the North American Fenestration Standard.
Do your doors meet the B.C. Building Code?
Yes, doors built by B.C. Door are compliant with the British Columbia Building Code.
Are doors built by B.C. Door ENERGY STAR rated?
Our doors have not been tested for ENERGY STAR; however, many doors built by B.C. Door have energy ratings (U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC)) that meet or exceed many project / regional requirements. Please contact B.C. Door for these ratings.
Pricing
How can I get pricing?
Pricing is available from any B.C. Door dealer. Please contact your nearest dealer with your specifications and they can work out a quote for you.
I'm having difficulties getting information and a quote from my dealer. What should I do?
If a particular dealer is unable to provide the level of service you are looking for, please contact another dealer near you. A full listing of our Premier Dealers can be found here.
What if I don't have a dealer near me?
In locations where we do not have a Premier Dealer, we sell direct to local building material suppliers and homeowners. Please email or contact us directly.